Senior Ecologist

AECOM is actively seeking an experienced Senior Ecologist to join our Natural Resources Group. This role is an exciting opportunity to support industry leading projects and programs in the utility renewables federal transportation and conservation sectors with opportunities to lead and specialize in meaningful technical work such raptor studies species permitting conservation plans and large-scale environmental analyses.

This hybrid role can be based in any of our West region offices including offices throughout California or Nevada. Experience and expertise in ecology of the interior west is required.

This position will support numerous natural resource projects in the west including technical work on a variety of projects. Primary duties include raptor population studies mitigation planning regulatory compliance and permitting efforts including ESA BGEPA MBTA 401/404 and preparing environmental documents (NEPA resource management plans and habitat conservation plans etc). The position will entail marketing including preparation of grant applications and contributions to proposals. Candidate will coordinate with resource agency staff lead complex environmental waters and/or species-related permitting projects and participate in public review processes. Fieldwork will be varied and may include travel for up to a few weeks at a time with the candidate leading avian herpetological and/or mammal studies.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Designs and leads large-scale field studies with an emphasis on raptors/ornithology.
• Provide support to projects with advanced spatial modeling and statistical analysis needs as applied to population analysis of sensitive species.
• Collaborates with a team to prepare large complex natural resources documents such as NEPA sections Technical Reports Biological Assessments Biological Evaluations Habitat Conservation Plans Eagle Conservation Plans Resource Management Plans. Operates as primary author or senior reviewer as appropriate.
• Knowledge of major state and federal agencies (e.g. USACE USFWS BLM BOR CDFW RWQCB and CCC) and major regulatory frameworks (e.g. NEPA CEQA ESA CESA CFGC CWA and CCA).
• Work independently and as part of a team; be innovative and a problem solver.
• Experience with management and synthesis of large datasets including data from complex field survey protocols.
• Operates as primary point of contact for clients and resource agencies on projects.
• Supports career development of junior staff in the practice.
• Participates in interviews with large or small team for a variety of clients.
• Candidate will contribute to growth of department through marketing pursuits including grant applications proposal preparation interviews and business development.
• Ability to work long field days (10-12 hours) on occasion and as needed

About AECOMs Environment Business Line
Join AECOM to be part of an expert global team who is connected through a well-developed worldwide internal technical practice network through which you can learn from and brainstorm with the best in the world. AECOM is an industry-leading world class environmental firm and we want you to succeed within it.  We respect and encourage your own pathway to excellence via our Freedom to Grow initiative.

AECOM is known for our award-winning technical excellence leading-edge science and innovative project delivery. We provide sustainable solutions for some of the worlds most challenging issues. Our global clients and their projects span a variety of market sectors and geographies and require innovative technical solutions to solve wide-ranging environmental problems.

Qualifications :

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in related field (biology ecology).
• 6 years of relevant experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education in natural resources/project management.
• Valid U.S Drivers license is required for this role.
• Due to the nature of the work US Citizenship is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters Degree in related field (biology ecology).
• 15 years of experience in natural resources.
• Expertise with raptor ecology/ornithology including sensitive species such as Bald Eagle Golden Eagle Ferruginous Hawk Swainsons Hawk Northern Spotted Owl Mexican Spotted Owl California Condor Pinyon Jay Burrowing Owl Common Ravens Greater Sage-Grouse etc.
• Expertise with designing and implementing long-term large-scale avian studies that may entail ground and/or aerial (helicopter) surveys.
• Experience with sensitive herpetofauna of Nevada and the interior west including desert tortoise.
• Experience with sensitive mammal species of Nevada/the interior west such as bighorn sheep pygmy rabbit kangaroo mice and others.
• Possession of valid USFWS 10(a) permits to conduct wildlife protocol surveys.
• Expertise in assessing telemetry data collaborating with colleagues to summarize data in 2- and 3-D visual formats assessing risk based on analysis of spatial behavior for energy and transmission projects.
• Expertise with NEPA ESA and BGEPA permitting
• Data management experience including electronic data collection in field; managing large data sets.
• Excellent verbal communication skills; ability to build consensus across diverse teams; effective client communication and ability to work independently on large multi-disciplinary teams.
• Strong writing skills and experience completing detailed reports summarizing technical studies and spatial analyses.
• Previous experience working on environmental programs in the utility renewables federal transportation and/or conservation sectors.
• Willingness to work with multiple colleagues on a variety of initiatives.
• Successful marketing/business development experience.
• Experience with career development of junior and mid-level biologists.
• Ability to work in a high-paced environment where changing client priorities result in the need to strategize on creative approaches.
• Candidate must be flexible and willing to support multiple projects.

Additional Information :

• Relocation is not available for this position.

At AECOM we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

About AECOM 

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status AECOM benefits may include medical dental vision life AD&D disability benefits paid time off leaves of absences voluntary benefits perks flexible work options well-being resources employee assistance program business travel insurance service recognition awards retirement savings plan and employee stock purchase plan. 

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities we solve our clients complex challenges in water environment energy transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle from advisory planning design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at . 

What makes AECOM a great place to work 

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts youll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills helping you build the career youve always envisioned. Here youll find a welcoming workplace built on respect collaboration and communitywhere you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity. 

As an Equal Opportunity Employer we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. 

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time